The new secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, is speaking out in her first TV interview since taking on the new role.
Yellen, who became the first female U.S. Treasury secretary, spoke with ABCâs Robin Roberts on âGood Morning Americaâ and was asked what her hope is in leaving her mark on the U.S. Economy and the countryâs history.
After noting she is cautious to âpoint in our historyâ when the U.S. is currently facing two crises â the coronavirus pandemic and an economic crisis â Yellen said, âI want to make sure that Americans donât suffer needlessly, and that we attend to their needs.â
She added, âI think we know what those needs are and we need to act forcefully,â so that Americans âget the help that they need.â
Watch Yellenâs interview below:
Yellen touched on the coronavirus relief package President Joe Biden is pushing. She said it addresses âa wide range of needsâ including the needs of families with children. Additionally, she noted an estimate that the package could reduce child poverty by 50%.
âI want to make sure that this package gets into law and that we build back better and address long-term problems in the labor market and issues of structural racism,â Yellen said. âI would feel if I can make the contribution to that I would feel that thatâs a great legacy for me and for the country and for the president.â
As for coronavirus relief, Biden is pushing for a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package to be passed. He met with Republican lawmakers earlier this week and Democratic Congress members on Wednesday.
After meeting with Republicans on Monday, Biden said he âwill not slow down work on this urgent crisis response, and will not settle for a package that fails to meet the moment.â
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) indicated on Wednesday after meeting with Biden that there is âuniversal agreement we must go big and boldâ on COVID-19 relief.
âWe hope our Republican colleagues will join us⊠We want to do it bipartisan, but we must be strong,â he added. âWe cannot dawdle, we cannot delay, we cannot dilute.â
